Syria Hints at Turning Russian Bases Into Army Training Centers

Syria has hinted at plans to convert two Russian bases in Syria into army training centers for its own military on Tuesday.

Speaking at London’s Royal Institute of International Affairs “Chatham House,” Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa announced plans to convert Russia’s two remaining bases in the country.

“Among dozens of bases, only two remain, and we are trying to turn them into bases for training the Syrian army,” Al-Sharaa said, as per a video posted by Syrian journalist

Qusay Noor on X.

Al-Sharaa referred to the Khmeimim Air Base in Lakatia and the Tartus Naval Base, both located on the Mediterranean coast – Moscow’s only Mediterranean bases vital to its African operations.

Russia’s permanent military presence was negotiated with former Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, who was ousted in December 2024 and sought refuge in Moscow.

Russia has gradually withdrawn from bases and outposts across Syria after Assad’s ouster, though hundreds to thousands of personnel are estimated to remain at the two bases following multiple rounds of talks with the new administration.

However, Al-Sharaa did not elaborate on how the planned conversions could take place – and whether Russian personnel would remain to help train the Syrian military.

The Syrian leader also said that Damascus maintains ties with Moscow due to historical relations, tacitly reiterating his earlier comments that he would not rule out the possibility of military cooperation with Russia due to his army’s reliance on Russian weapons.

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Al-Sharaa last visited Moscow in January 2026 to discuss the future of Russian military bases in Syria, following July 2025 reports on attempts to review agreements made under the Assad regime.

The Syrian leader has also sought the extradition of Assad from Moscow on multiple occasions in exchange for Moscow’s continued presence in the two bases, though Moscow has thus far refused the request.

At Chatham House, Al‑Sharaa also suggested that Syria intends to stay neutral in the ongoing war with Iran, saying Damascus has no official relations with Tehran and warning against the impact of what he said were random, uncoordinated policies on the region and Gulf countries.

Al‑Sharaa also criticized Israel by saying the nation has dealt with Syria negatively, adding that dialogues with Israel have failed despite Damascus’s attempts.